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I had to give the old C81 some TLC before I used it this week. I saw the insulation cracking on the stator/regulator wiring and it crumbled when I handled it. Used fome of my favorite heat shrink connections that have solder in them. Had some new connectors in my stash and a little 14Gage wire, so good to go. When I travel through Austin coming from the farm I pass near a huge city sewer plant. Nearby they have a contractor that takes the solids and the grass, leaves and limbs and makes excellent compost that they call "Dillo Dirt" As in Armadillo, it an Austin thing I can get a truck and trailer (2+yards) free if I shove or $30 for them to load with skidsteer. Its an easy decision to shell out $$. It does smell a little "fresh" at the composting facility. But the smell is gone from the yard in a day. Very good fertilizer! So the C81 has had easy duty pulling the trailer around the yard as I do the hard duty shovel/spreading. I've spread 2 truck/trailer loads on the lawn this spring.

Two days in a row with little human cargo headed for the beach...

Finally got to feel the void in the grill of the C160-8 thanks to some help from @ebinmaine

Not bad for a tractor that's 58 years old and a 36" rotary deck.

Hello everyone. First my apologies to all for falling off the face of the earth, specially to the ones that attempted to contact me and perhaps I did not answer. It has been an adventure this last year, starting with our health which unfortunately just wants to travel south , keeping us busy just by the multitude of appointments, tests and the lack of peace of mind which many times just takes all and any motivation away. It’s a struggle. With my father’s passing last year now it’s the impossible task of managing properties in two continents without being there. My wife is not up to travel and I cannot leave her alone so it just complicates things. My younger son is now back with us making things a little easier and certain things possible which is a blessing. Only due to that I am actually now waiting to board a plane so I go for a few days to do some closings on stuff over there. Been also quite discouraged with the current “climate” here , due to which I have taken a bit of outright abuse never having in my life imagined it possible. Amazing how all of a sudden so many change their attitudes towards one, clearly intended on making one feel singled out and unwelcome. Again, feelings I never thought I would have specially after 60 years of being here. I was looking forward to the show this year but unfortunately due to the health and overseas issues it’s not going to be possible. I’ll be looking forward to seeing all the photos. Hopefully I’ll also find time and the motivation to start being active here again. I miss you all.

Good time! Small show and it’s first year in a new location. Tony @Docwheelhorse even bought a 953 today @wallfish @Retired Wrencher

…or someone did some drilling .

Here's Johnny!

June 13, 1980, The Shining premiered in the USA on May 23, 1980, with a limited release, followed by a wider release on June 13, 1980, in both the United States and Canada. This classic horror film, directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King's novel, marked its debut in theaters in 1980.

Many people like my parents got into the mindset and had no need for multi function equipment. if it was cheap and just cut grass it was fine. I like the fact that my stuff can be a Swiss Army knife of lawn equipment.

North sky this evening.

Oh…. Made one of my famous pizzas for dinner! (I’ll have to admit, it’s stinkin’ AWESOME!)

Gave mine a good cleaning

Breakthrough Died again but no gas in the inline fuel filter. Looked in tank didn't see anything but wiggled the screen with a screw driver and gas appeared in the filter. Still didn't see the problem got a swab and rubbed it up and down the screen got some yellow gummy stuff. Looks like a paste version of the yellow ethanol gumballs that show up in the carb bowl. Tomorrow pulling tank to clean it and I think I am just removing the screen. He is only up here in the summer and has old metal gas cans. I imagine it formed in what ever gas was left in his cans over the winter it was diluted by new gas but still was there. Thank you all!!!

Early June morning Sunrise in Greencastle,Indiana!

I'm not so sure that's a 701 S/G guard, doesn't look quite right to me. Looks to be from a Briggs motor maybe?

I currently have 3 Onan engines. I was like you and very Leary of them when I bought my 416h. All 3 of my current Onans I’m sure have over 1,000 hours on them. My 416h is my go to tractor. It always starts doesn’t matter how long it’s sat or how cold it is. I don’t have a picture of the 3rd tractor and engine but it’s a 520. All have been excellent tractors

This tiny product of unmarried parents better work and not leak. What a pain!

I look at it this way. ... Wheelhorse Parts were well known to be Standard Parts whenever possible. They used whatever pieces were readily available on the market when the machines were built. Sometimes factory is best. Times change. Technology changes. Sometimes we can replace originals with far superior modern items.

We got the yard mowed, and I got the garden cultivated….. I had my fun mowing with the C160!

Nice looking rig. Newer 48" deck too!

I used my C160 and the 36” RD deck to mow the front yard, then took off the mower deck and installed the cultivators and stirred up the garden, trying to stay ahead of weeds, and perfect timing for expected rain. i noticed that the tension spring on the deck had broken, so I ordered a new one when I went inside. When I install the new spring, I am going to try putting some plastic tubing on the contact areas at the end loops of the spring…. Might make it last longer.

Oh, I forgot, at 6 this morning I boxed up my son and shipped him off to Tennessee.

I scrubbed the front porch on the lake house - wall, ceiling, and slab. The slab is going to need the pressure washer to get it where I want it. Then, for grins and giggles, I started raking the leaf muck out of the lake - gave up after a while and leaved some more for another day. Late last week, we bought a Milwaukee battery powered string trimmer. While we were at the store, Mrs 8n spies the battery powered 8" chain saw. She gave it the can I work the handle and switches with her small hand test. It passed, and we bought it. After dinner, I continued working on trimming a tree that fell out of the woods and over the lot line. Most of the crown of the tree is in the yard. I'm cutting it back to where the branches are 4 maybe 5 inches in diameter. I chop the brush off where it is about broomstick size, then make firewood sized pieces of the rest. Been doing that for 3 nights now. Same 8 ah battery. Still has 3/4 charge on it. Used 3 tanks of oil, though. I'm impressed with the Milwaukee Hatchet saw. 10 times the saw compared to my 10" B&D battery saw.

The descant pack has ruptured and contaminated the system, it is causing the H-valve to stick periodically. @squonkis right about the system shutting off over the 325 PSI on the high side. The blow-off valve pops around 350. If you want to fix it right its going to be expensive. If you don't want it to be expensive teach your daughter how to work the window switch.

Getting started as a Wheel Horse dealer was different for us because it was factory direct. We had been an Ariens dealer for years before and that was factory to distributor to us. The 'direct' way was never as personal, but always made more financial sense. As time went on we got used to direct because then we started selling Ski-doo's and that was direct too. C-85

I had the same thing sort of on my 953. There was no screen on the tank and the shut off valve got clogged. It looked yellowish and gummy but it was actually real fine rust particles. Well no way I was removing the tank so I tossed a little chain in the tank and with a long screwdriver I swished it around. Then flushed the tank. Then we have these real strong magnets that came with a dialysis machine maintenance kit at work. They are used to catch any metal that may have gotten through the water filters. They are about the diameter of a dime. I placed one of these near the tank outlet to catch any fine rust. 2 years and no more clogs.

Something in the tank eventually clogging off the gas ????

I believe I have it figured out. It may have been the battery tray drain hose. The battery tray has a hole in it and it just points straight down, above the pulley in the middle of the deck. Looking at another post on the 520H(https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/topic/115709-520h-battery-tray-drain-tube/) while a different tractor, my battery tray looks identical and the pictures from Cleat seem to show that hose extending quite a ways away. Perhaps mystery solved!

Out side of swapping in a carb you changed everything except maybe the condenser? For the heck of it check the connection at the switch and the wire to the coil. I had my 1267 at the show a few years back and the screw that holds the coil feed wire at the switch vibrated loose and it died. Maybe a little heat build up there from a bad connection?

I love my front mount. i left the vbelt cover off. When I switched to the 48" I did have to grind down the reinforcement plate to clear the belt.

those are some great notations on the small variations between the 1962 and 1963 models, @ACman

Anderson 120 amp connectors on Amazon I think the 50 Amp connectors are sufficient. The only difference is the wire guage that will fit the crimp connector. I run 6 guage wire with zero issues on Kohler small and large block as well as Vanguard twins. I usually make a 8-10 inch length wires on the battery side so my batteries will swap easily between machines. Then on the tractor side, hot to the solenoid and ground to the chassis. Connects like any other battery cables, just with two connectors in the middle. These connectors only connect one way, so polarity is never an issue. A few of mine have the tractor side hard mounted, the rest are not but batteries swap regardless.

Definitely not a 701 guard. It has the smoother face like one, but not nearly wide enough.

I would search for 12x6 tubes.

Sorry I missed this tag earlier but the guidance that @lynnmor gave you was right on the money. Sounds like you came out of this deal smelling like a rose If you think the 520-H wiring is confusing you need to look at the Lxi and XT versions with a Kawasaki engine and the "NO-MOW in REVERSE" wiring. On second thought, don't do it, that would ruin your day.

Sorry - it looks to be a FrankenHorse. The double wide S/G belt guard says 1961, the short hood, front axle & steering, gas tank, iron dash all say 1962. If that is a Dial-a-Height lift stop, it says 1963.... Additional pictures from the rear & right side needed to better define this one... Rarity - probably a one of one - but not for a good reason.

The P216 and P218 Onan engines aren't as fickle as the P220 (20hp), but I'm not a fan of Onan either way. Of course if correct 400 hours is nothing. That being said, 1300 hours on a Kohler twin is getting up there. If it has been meticulously maintained, I would lean that way as well. But seeing would make all the difference for me. Both being hydros... you're just gonna have to look them over.

After a few cranks, it fired up on carb cleaner sprayed in the carb and rad good (for a rough check) I had it jacked up to change the rear tires, so kept spraying/running and moved the hydro control lever forward and backwards and hub rotates as they should. So theirs signs of life, maybe, just maybe the 400 hrs on the meter is real. A part of the deal I got a pile of 3 piece and 2 piece 3 speed transmission parts. #/4 of them are good, some are pitted or chipped . The complete 3 piece transmission has interesting damage, if only it could talk! Who knowns what went through it to break this bearing holding ring The case and hubs and pullies are good. This other side plate was good. This is a "newer style diff that I guess was in the 3 piece transmission. There are also parts to another 2 piece 3 speed. some good, some pitted. Here a close up of that diff with a corner chippe dout The axles need to be flipped, they have heavy wear in the bushing area. More parts and more parts. So for trading a tiller that I had 2 of sitting in the barn I feel I make out great. I really needed some transmission parts for various projects. I thing I can build a really good 3 piece transmission if i repair or replace that side plate, and a really good 2 piece 3 speed with another transmission I have that needed parts. There probable another so/so 2 piece transmission in the pile of parts. While the 520H is rough in some aspects, It give me one to learn on since it is the first 520h I've seen down here in 10 years. Its 48" deck has a rust hole near the discharge but turns free. If nothing else, as @ebinmaine said, If it becomes parts, the gear reduction steering, seat pan, wide rear rims, and some other parts have value to me.

I think Cecil Pond was not too enthusiastic about his offspring having to swim upstream against a rising tide of planned obsolescence lawn equipment. While they would face some hard decisions along the way just as Cecil had it was becoming obvious that bowing out while the company was thriving made the most economic sense.

Painted some 42” and 48” mower deck belt gaurds. The 42’s (smaller set) are Rustoleum Regal Red and the 48’s (larger set) sprayed with Rustoleum Farm IH red. Today outside in full sun the Ih red looks to have a little more orange tint to it. I go back and forth on which flavor of these 2 shades I like the best and have come to the conclusion they are so close it just depends what day of week they where made to which shade is the darker of the two. Both were sprayed over gray primer and clear gloss sprayed on them soon as last coat of red was applied.

C-85 I bought awhile back has always had two leaky fronts. Been stored in the shed up on blocks so the rubber wouldn’t get ruined sitting flat..well today I decided to tube em both. I hate tubing the small tires ! This old HF tire changer comes in handy still. But now it’s done and the big test will be to see if they stay “up”.

Thanks for the quick responses! I meant to respond earlier. I am looking forward to it, but I i gotta make the time cuz I dont really like choking it out to shut it down. I'll update as I go through the wiring, but I did briefly go through all wiring/grounds i could see. Specifically the dark blue one, for grounding purposes. I'm planning on eliminating some more length of the wiring related to the little idiot lights as I take out the battery tray, etc to see wiring and eliminating pinch points. I dont want to eliminate any safety switches! I haven't taken time to really look into it yet with my teenage kids always taking up my wife's and mybtime and wheel horse $. 🙃 I do have an exact model/year (93 73401), (part donor/maybe future project/high hr but does run 314h) unfortunately, that one has an obvious corroded rusty bad terminal on the switch,vbut it actually "ran last year " 😄 (po has a push button installed) @gwest_ca you rule! I actually thought that they both had the same part number, then I realized I clicked on the same link twice 😅 Thanks for keeping me straight!

I've been wanting to replace my mulching cover, due to it being broken at the corners, and the PO hacking it. WHX?? was kind enough to sell an extra one he had (including the mounting bolts/nuts which I didn't have). Today I used rust reforming primer and GM Red spray paint on the rusty areas of the deck. After it all cured I added a little weatherstripping to the back edges of the cover and installed. My mild OCD is doing better now. Once my son in law has the time he's going to 3D print me another one for the spare parts shelf.

Went out for a test drive.

Today was a marathon on the wife's car. I took the turbo out to replace it the other night. Starting at 8 this morning I finished the turbo, replaced the timing belt, and did the water pump and all the oil seals behind the timing belt since I was there, and I have never seen one of these vehicles hit the mileage that hers has. I worked on it about 10 hours today, and I still have to put the valve cover back on, because I am missing an o-ring that goes under it, and I can't get that until Monday.

SPA is the wrong profile, according to Claude AI, but it found me one over here that was correct, so the belt is on order now. Should get to see if it all works in a few days, when it arrives. With trial fits of the short belt, I worry that there is part of the bodywork that appears to foul the edge of the belt, near the back. It appears as if someone has already nibbled it away to give clearance, or it is notched to begin with, but it's close, for sure. I'll have to take the right rear wheel off to have a much better look. Fishing all day tomorrow, so it will have to wait a while.

I've been using lacquer thinner for a few years. Seems to work good and lasts well. I do NOT use the heat cycle. I do have the thinner in a separate smaller vessel and surrounded by water in the machine.